In 1968, Water Street was connected to (and renamed) Ashley Drive (see From Shoreline to Museum).

Part of that roadway exists today as Saint Pete Times Forum Drive, and begins at Platt & Brorien Streets heading south and turning east to Franklin Street / Harbour Island Blvd (map).  If you looked at that map, you will see SPTF Drive’s current as well as it’s former name, Ice Palace Drive.

The City of Tampa renamed the road Ice Palace Drive in 1992 when the arena was built for the Tampa Bay Lightning.  In 1997, Mayor Dick Greco temporarily named the road Sesame Street to highlight the arrival of a Broadway performance of the kids educational TV show at the arena.  In 2003, the Lightning sold naming rights of the arena to the St. Petersburg Times.  Along with that came the street’s latest name, Saint Pete Times Forum Drive.

And now, in preparation for the coming of the new Tampa Bay History Center, city officials want to change the name again.  If Tampa City Council approves the changes, Saint Pete Times Forum Drive will be renamed Old Water Street in a tip of the hat to the all-but-forgotten waterfront warehouse district.

Lights on Tampa is a critically acclaimed and award winning program whose mission is to bring free access to artistic excellence. Its emphasis is on new media technologies and education. Lights On Tampa is informed by successful international models including BEAP (Biennial Electronic Art in Perth), and Lights of Turin.

From an international call to artists, a highly respected jury consisting of Anne Pasternak, Jerry Saltz, and Dave Hickey, recommended a pool of artists to participate in Lights On Tampa 2009. While all will be innovative and experiential, one installation is specific to the Super Bowl in recognition of Tampa hosting Super Bowl XLIII. The intent is to broaden the reach of the arts through Lights On Tampa, and connect with new audience groups. Millions will see all of the installations.

The program is a public/private partnership that reinforces Tampa’s commitment to the arts, technology, and education. It is a cultural and aesthetic event designed to engage, entertain, and educate Tampa’s diverse community.

Lights On Tampa is a biennial program timed to complement a larger community initiative to revitalize and strengthen the downtown core, reinforce the city’s commitments to the arts and technologies, and capitalize on the peak tourist and convention season in Tampa.

Lights On Tampa 2009 brings the work of major contemporary artists to downtown Tampa. Lights On Tampa kicks off on January 10th with a large public event, and the installations will continue to run through February 2nd, in order to reach visitors in Tampa for the 2009 Super Bowl.

Lights On Tampa 2009 sites include: The Tampa Convention Center and Riverwalk, USF Park, Cotanchobee Park, and Fort Brooke Parking Garage. Community members, and visitors will celebrate the opening of Lights On Tampa 2009 through a pedestrian-friendly public event in order to experience each of the destinations.

Launching from the Davis Islands Boat Launch at 6:30pm, the cruise route will circle Harbour Island, traveling through the Sparkman Channel, Ybor Turning Basin, Seddon Channel, Garrison Channel, and ending at the Tampa Convention Center before heading back to Davis Islands.  Check out the Tampa Holiday Boat Parades map.

You’ll find the best views at Channelside Bay Plaza (map) (approximately 7:00pm), Beneficial Bridge (map), and the Convention Center (map) (approximately7:30pm-7:45pm).

Boat Parades will take place on December 13 and 20.

The parade is open to all boaters.  If you want to enter, please visit www.yachtstarship.com/boatparade.asp to register for your FREE entry number. Deadline for registration is each Wednesday before the scheduled parade. For additional information please call 813-471-1531 or e-mail ezimmerman@funintampabay.com

Judging:

• First, Second, and Third place prizes will be awarded for each parade.
• Display and illuminate entry number so it is visible from the water post side.
• Vessels will be judged by the public via Text-To-Vote.

Dock space is available at Marriott Marina – cal 813-221-4900 for more information on dock space.  Additional dock space is available at the Tampa Convention Center after each event.

All Captains participating in one of this years parades are invited to attend a “Captains Party” aboard Yacht Starship prior to the parades.

Lights On Tampa is a public/private partnership that bridges Tampa’s commitment to the arts, technology, and education and offers free access to artistic excellence. It is a cultural and aesthetic event designed to engage, entertain, and educate Tampa’s visitors and diverse community. Lights On Tampa is a biennial program that brings major contemporary artists to downtown Tampa. By focusing on art that is experiential and includes both “low” and “high” tech materials, Lights On Tampa also puts the spotlight on Tampa. Some of these installations will be permanent, some temporary, and some will live only virtually through www.lightsontampa.org.

Lights On Tampa kicks off on January 10th with a large public event, and the installations will continue to run through February 2nd, in order to reach visitors in Tampa for the 2009 Super Bowl. Lights On Tampa 2009 sites include: The Tampa Convention Center and Riverwalk, USF Park, Cotanchobee Park, and Fort Brooke Parking Garage.

Lights On Tampa is an innovative project of the City of Tampa, Art Programs Division which debuted in 2006. The Art Programs Division of the City of Tampa is in partnership with Friends of Tampa Public Art, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization to commission the selected artists to create the installations.

Check back with My Downtown Tampa for the schedule and specific installments. ]]> http://mydowntowntampa.com/2008/12/02/lights-on-tampa-2009/feed/ 0 http://mydowntowntampa.com/2008/11/19/womens-final-four-coming-back-to-tampa/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=womens-final-four-coming-back-to-tampa http://mydowntowntampa.com/2008/11/19/womens-final-four-coming-back-to-tampa/#comments Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:34:47 +0000 tommyduncn http://mydowntowntampa.com/?p=175 Press Release from Tampa Bay & Company:

Tampa Bay & Company is proud to announce that the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee has selected Tampa Bay, and the University of South Florida, to host the 2015 NCAA Division I Women’s Final Four Championship.

“This announcement serves as tremendous validation for all of the hard work that went into the 2008 Women’s Final Four,” said Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission Rob Higgins.  “Hosting an event like this is usually a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but our great community will fortunately experience the Women’s Final Four a second time through the efforts of numerous organizations, countless volunteers, and the entire hospitality industry that comprises Team Tampa Bay.”

After submitting an intent-to-bid form in November 2007, representatives of 12 cities attended a pre-bid seminar in January 2008 and met with NCAA staff for individual planning and progress updates in April and June 2008.  After selecting eight finalist cities in August 2008, women’s basketball committee members made site visits to each finalist city in September and October 2008.

Following the site visits to each city, potential host-city representatives made final presentations to the committee on Nov. 11-12 in Indianapolis, Ind.  When evaluating prospective host cities, the committee reviewed each city’s competition venue, convention center, hotel community, transportation plans, legacy programs and financial commitment, as well as the community’s and prospective host institution/conference’s overall commitment to the event.

“I was proud to be the only female on Team Tampa Bay.  The excitement and energy that the 2008 NCAA Women’s Final Four brought to Tampa was memorable, and I can hardly wait until 2015!” said Hillsborough County Commissioner Rose Ferlia.  “Thank you to the Women’s Basketball Committee for the selection and congratulations to our community.”

With the dedication and support that the University of South Florida (USF) showed for the efforts in 2008, the University will once again fill the role of Host Institution in 2015.

“I am extremely excited about USF again serving as the host institution for another NCAA Women’s Basketball Final 4.  We are fortunate to have some committed community partners in securing this bid,” said Doug Woolard, director of athletics for USF.  “The Women’s Final Four has become one of the NCAA premier championship events, and the 2008 Championship in Tampa Bay proved to be an outstanding experience for all of the student-athletes that participated, as well as coaches and fans from across the United States.”

Just as with the 2008 Championship, the 2015 Women’s Final Four will be played at Tampa’s St. Pete Times Forum, in the heart of downtown Tampa.

“We appreciate the opportunity and the faith the NCAA has in us to bring its marquee women’s event back to Tampa and back to the St. Pete Times Forum,” said Oren Koules, owner, governor and CEO of the Tampa Bay Lightning.  “We look to continue working with our community partners to bring more major events into Tampa Bay.”

In addition to Tampa Bay, the Women’s Basketball Committee has also chosen host cities for the 2012 – 2016 Women’s Final Four Championships.  The Women’s Final Four host cities for 2012 – 2016 are: 2012 – Denver, Colo.; 2013 – New Orleans, La.; 2014 – Nashville, Tenn.; 2015 – Tampa Bay, Fla.; 2016 – Indianapolis, Ind.

The cities selected represent a blend of cities with past Women’s Final Four hosting experience including Indianapolis (2005), New Orleans (1991, 2004) and Tampa Bay (2008), while Denver and Nashville will be hosting the event for the first time.

“We are honored to be able to host an event of this caliber for the second time and showcase was a wonderful community and premier destination we have in Tampa Bay,” said Paul Catoe, president and CEO of Tampa Bay & Company.  “With the success of the 2008 NCAA Women’s Final Four Championship, among other elite-level events that our area has hosted, Tampa Bay has a proven track record of success and we look forward to taking the 2015 Women’s Final Four to new heights.”

Press Release from ADVANCE Healthcare Job Fair & Career Event

On November 14th, ADVANCE Newsmagazines is hosting another free Healthcare Job Fair & Career Event at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, FL, from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm.

Attendees gain admittance to the exhibit hall, access to 5 hours of free Continuing Education sessions on vital healthcare topics, refreshments and the chance to play fun games for great prizes all free of charge! Exciting giveaways are available at the door while supplies last and prize drawings are being held throughout the day for a $500 Visa gift card, $100 cash, a portable DVD player and much more. The ADVANCE Healthcare Shop also has on-site booths filled with unique gifts, exclusive logo wear and professional equipment.

For more information, please call 800-546-4987, email jobfair@advanceweb.com, or visit us online at http://health-care-job-fairs.advanceweb.com.

The 600,000 square foot building offers 200,000 square feet of exhibit space, a 36,000 square foot ballroom, and 36 breakout rooms that total over 42,000 square feet of additional meeting space.  In addition, over 84,000 square feet of flexible public space is available right outside on the waterfront.

Beautifully appointed décor and soft sophisticated colors cushion your comfort and sense of space. Unique architectural designs create a setting that showcases the natural surroundings. The convenience of a vibrant downtown, adjacent first-class accommodations and Florida’s largest variety of destination offerings blend as one to provide a remarkable venue.

The Tampa Convention Center (map) is on the waterfront in the southwest corner of downtown at 333 S Franklin St.  Contact the Tampa Convention Center at tampaconventioncenter.com

Disney On Ice presents
Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey
October 2-5, 2008
St. Pete Times Forum
Price: $19, $27, $36, $45

ABOUT THE SHOW

Join Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse as they travel to four magical destinations all in one fun-filled ice production! Disney On Ice presents Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey will take audiences on a sightseeing tour of the imagination.

The St. Pete Times Forum is in the Convention / Arena area of Downtown Tampa (map).

From the City of Tampa Press Release:

The City of Tampa’s official “Tampa Bay Rays Day” just got a new, designated event that is sure to be a homerun with the fans – Catch the Rays on the Riverwalk.

This free, family-friendly community event has been scheduled for Friday evening, September 26, 2008, in Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park. The event will provide an opportunity for residents to gather as a community to watch the Tampa Bay Rays take on the Detroit Tigers. The game will be shown on a giant screen in Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park, located at 601 St. Pete Times Forum Drive which is adjacent to the Tampa Marriott Waterside hotel.

The Rays’ team mascot Raymond and the Street Team are expected to join the festivities at 6:30 p.m. with a game start of 7:05 p.m. Sponsored by Tampa Electric, the St. Petersburg Times, and Colonial Bank with support from the Tampa Bay Rays, the event is free and open to the public. Attendees are welcome to bring picnic baskets, blankets, low-back folding chairs and coolers. Vendors will sell food and soft drinks. Parking is available in the South Regional Garage for a fee.

For more information, please contact Public Affairs Officer Annette Spina at (813) 274-8789.

You can find Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park on our map of downtown Tampa.

The City of Tampa’s official “Tampa Bay Rays Day” just got a new, designated event that is sure to be a homerun with the fans – Catch the Rays on the Riverwalk.

This free, family-friendly community event has been scheduled for Friday evening, September 26, 2008, in Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park. The event will provide an opportunity for residents to gather as a community to watch the Tampa Bay Rays take on the Detroit Tigers. The game will be shown on a giant screen in Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park, located at 601 St. Pete Times Forum Drive which is adjacent to the Tampa Marriott Waterside hotel.

The Rays’ team mascot Raymond and the Street Team are expected to join the festivities at 6:30 p.m. with a game start of 7:05 p.m. Sponsored by Tampa Electric, the St. Petersburg Times, and Colonial Bank with support from the Tampa Bay Rays, the event is free and open to the public. Attendees are welcome to bring picnic baskets, blankets, low-back folding chairs and coolers. Vendors will sell food and soft drinks. Parking is available in the South Regional Garage for a fee.

For more information, please contact Public Affairs Officer Annette Spina at (813) 274-8789.

You can find Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park on our map of downtown Tampa.